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International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony
Organised by
Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy,
Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Relevance of Buddha teachings providing a viable solution towards conflict resolution
Chandan Kumar
Ph.D. Candidate
School of Buddhist Studies & Civilization,
Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, UP, INDIA
Email: [email protected]
The world what we see now has change in many fold in due course of time. The constant
greed, struggle for supremacy, market, energy and economy has deconstructed world social
order. Today around us is the conflict of nations, civil war and persistent threat of
fundamentalist forces. The world is in such a chaotic mess that no conventional approach is
very effective in bringing down the order in chaos. Buddha’s teaching of conventional
approach of solving social conflict by understanding compassion, non violence and peace.
Desire is the root cause of every problem. Desire leads to manifestation of power to show
strength, which provoke conflict. Buddha’s theory of Dependent Origination states that
“everything originates with a cause. The main cause of social conflict is greed of an
individual or group or nation. Individual greed leads to conflict, conflict leads to violence and
violence leads to demolish social environment. On the other hand social conflict gives thrust
to originate other problems such as poverty, unemployment, civil and human rights issues.
Therefore social conflicts originate due to social problems and social problems arise because
of the social conflict, both are interconnected and vice versa. This paper is divided into two
parts , in brief first part have two sections in which first section deal with origin of social
conflicts. How and what are the major catalyst played an important role in the origin of the
social conflicts. Second sections will findings of its effect based on Nobel Truth. In both of
the section of the first part is based on the Buddha theory of Dependent Origination. Second
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part focuses on its resolution with a practical approach self realisation and minimisation of
greed on the teachings of “Middle Path”.Today “the light of Asia” becomes “light of the
World” and the World is just like one Sangha in the era of information technology and
globalisation. Buddhist approach towards conflict resolution is completely different from the
theories of modern society. Its first starts with “self” and extended to the society and to the
World. Elimination of greed is most important and most practical approach to resolve social
conflict. Minimum desire will give maximum satisfaction which gives happiness; in the mean
time it will also give sustainability to sustainable development and to attained ultimate
pinnacle of freedom of humanity.
KEY WORDS:- GREED, SUPREMACY, STRENGTH, SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT,
POVERTY, MIDDLE PATH, RESOLUTION, SUSTAINABILITY.
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International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony
Organised by
Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy,
Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Relevance of Buddha teachings providing a viable solution towards conflict resolution
Chandan Kumar
Ph.D. Candidate
School of Buddhist Studies & Civilization,
Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, UP, INDIA
Email: [email protected]
Conflict is confrontation, between people situation and states. Conflict arises for the
power, position and supremacy. According to oxford dictionary “conflict” meaning, a serious
disagreement or argument, typically a protected one. 1 Definition of conflict changes
according to time, place and situation. In ancient times conflict for power and land was in
greater importance. In modern times conflict is all about the right issue in the era of
globalization and in democratic setup institutions. In the history of human civilization, at one
time or another, in one place or another conflict always arises. There is a difference between
conflict of ancient and modern times. In the ancient times conflict was limited to survival but
in modern times the conflict depends on the right issue. When we associate conflict with
social, it’s become confrontation for social powers. Social conflict is conflict between self,
1
www.oxforddictioneris.com/defination/english/conflict
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society and institutions. This conflict is widening in nature, associated with number of issues,
but totally associated with opposing social power.2 Social conflict is mainly associated with
imbalance.
Buddhism was founded in India by Gautam Buddha in sixth century BCE.According
to historian Ram Sharan Sharma, invention of iron and starting of new economy based on
agriculture, leads to development of different philosophical sects in fifth and sixth century
BCE in the Ganga basin3. Iron tool helps in cleaning and making agricultural land that helps
in second urbanisation in India. Vedic civilisationwas very much involved in animal and
human sacrifices. Vedic people were more indulge in conflict for land, property and kingship.
The most important was the caste system4. Gautam Buddha was against the caste system.
Buddha teachings were simple and understandable to the masses. His teachings of non
violence and peace were against the class and clan conflict. During the Vedic period, there
was rise in the number in ethnic conflict. The main reason for the conflict was the rise in the
number of Kingdom.
This paper is divided into two parts, first part have two sections in which first sections
deals with origin of social conflicts. Second sections will findings of its effect based on Nobel
Truth. In both of the sections of the first part is based on the Buddha Theory of Dependent
Origination. Second part will be focuses on its resolution with a practical approach, self
realization and minimization of greed on the teachings of “Middle Path”. Conflict always be
harmful and barrier towards metal and physical development. Today countries of the World
are facing big challenges of social, political and religious conflict. Buddha teaching was
religious tolerance.
Origin of Social Conflict
Social conflict originates because of the greed of power, position and supremacy over
others. Today world is facing serious threat from ongoing social conflict around the globe.
The social conflict categorized into terrorism, religious fundamentalist and political
turbulence. Social conflict is also because of ideology.
2
Loser. A distinction between conflict and hostile sentiments is essential conflict, as distinct from hostile
attitudes or sentiments, always takes place in society.
3
th
Sharma’ R.S. India’s Ancient Past; Oxford University Press 13 ed. 2013. PP 130-131
4
Ibid pp 132-133
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Power
Position
Imbalance
Social
Conflict
Supremacy
Poverty
Religion
Greed
In the age of information and communication technology, there are three types of conflicts.
These conflicts are problematic for the society and create number of other conflicts. These
are:
-
Fundamentalistic Conflict: Fundamentalistic conflict is based on religion or
ideology. These groups are religious association or ideological groups; they are not
only disturbing society but also giving fuel to social conflict.
-
Religious Terrorism: Terrorism based on the religion is most dangerous for the
development of civilisation. They are morally bankrupt; they do not understand the
difference between living and non living things. They act for the supremacy of there
religion, for example ISIS.
-
Civilisational Clash: Clash of different civilisation gives opportunity of arising
failed states, for example Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and other. Both above
mentioned, fundamentalist conflict and religious conflict is the weapon of
civilisational conflict.
Result of Social Conflict.
Result of Social Conflict is always devastative. Result will be multidimensional for most is
mistrust among individuals. Society consists of very groups, individuals and conflict among
themselves result into mistrust among them. Coexistence is basic structure of society,
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cohesiveness in term of ideas, faith, goal, and pave away for development in terms of trade
economy, cultural cohesive and environmental sustainability. However conflict is society
don’t make a smooth way to achieve goals of humanity. Moreover, whenever the conflict
arises out of violent mean then every parameters of development in society comes to an end.
It affects politically, economy, culturally and environmentally to the society or individual.
Culturally – Seems in its inception human society is culturally different. Cultural varied
from society to society, group to groups, country to country and social harmony is the entity
that covers up all of these diversity of group and makes the society prosperous and strengthen
the solid platform for the society. Seems, from the ancient time the concept of “Unity in
diversity” is the basic characteristic of humanity and owing to this philosophy the world has
strengthen the process of development. However, conflict owing to cultural intolerance
among different groups has resulted destructive outcome in past too. Example, destruction of
Buddhism in Bamiyan, by Taliban.The world, human society knows the significance of
cultural tolerance therefore UNESCO has been established for this purpose.
Economically – Conflict in society is a barrier for economy progress. This is not a single
society, group, country which makes progress economically, if conflict in society persists
there; No tackle, business, any profitable activity can to be done in a conflict ridden society.
Its create unemployment, poverty. So conflict in a society is a barrier for development, which
create bigger gap between rich and poor.
Environmental –Conflict in society makes negative on environment and ecology, a society
where conflict persist, people used to grab to ownership on natural resources. It makes bigger
impact on environment and ecology. Due to conflict in society environment progress of
sustainability harms.
Political – Due to social conflict it is very hard to run the state. Its effect the right and justice
of the people. Due to social conflict, states and institution not able to fulfill its people
oriented policies. Society conflict is the greatest barrier for political development in a
democratic setup.
These three main results of the social conflict are very harmful for the development of human
civilisation and environment sustainability. If social conflict exists longer in the society then
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basic social structure will be collapsed. Then the destroyed society will be taken by
fundamentalist forces, leads to an end of the human civilisation5.
Buddhism conflict resolution.
Buddhism founded by Gautama Buddha in Sixth Century BCE. Buddha meaning “the
awakened one”. The central fundamental principle of Buddha teaching is “middle path”
between self indulgence and self-mortification.6 Buddha founded Buddhism against the evils
of the society was caste conflict, violence brahmanical rituals, animal and human sacrifices.
Core philosophy of Buddhism is peace and non- violence.
-
Present World Order :
Today social conflict is gripping every section of the society. Social conflict, in the
name of religion, the fundamentalist, disordering the World order. Every parts of the world,
social conflict is making great impact on the development Ralf Dahrendorf, states in his
book. The Modern social conflict is all about enhancing life chances, the ties and binds a
society.7
Buddhist Peace – Buddha praised non-violence and peace. Non-violence and peace is the
central philosophy of development. Peace is conceptual term that gives inner and outer
peace.8 Inner peace is satisfaction from desires. Inner peace can be achieved by minimizing
desires. Outer peaces are conflict free society, harmony and inter faith dialogue.
Desire of supremacy
Social Conflict
Non violence
5
Jabari. Discourses on violence: Conflict analysis reconsidered. Page 146
Reat, Noble Rose, Buddhism, A History; Jain Publication Company, California, USA. 1994, PP 13-14
7
Dahrendorf, Ref, The Modern Social Conflict; The Politics of Liberty. Transaction Publisher, USA 2012
8
Thepsophon, Phra (PrayoonMererk), A Buddhist world view, fifth impression, Bangkok, Mahachulalongkorn
University Press, 2000.PP58
6
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Social Conflict resolution on Buddha’s teachings.
Buddhist teachings and philosophy is based on ethics and morality. These principles are
universal and practical in nature that encourages peace, nonviolence and social harmony.
These are based on the following:
*Five precepts: Five precepts are the practical approach to morality. No stealing, No
killing, No adultery, No to lie, No intoxicating liquor. Five precepts are also the self
purification.
*Four sublime state: Four sublime states are the most important teachings of Buddha
in achieving social harmony. These four sublime state are, loving kindness, compassion,
appreciative joy, equanimity.
How the social conflict originate. If we understand the “Five precepts” and the “Four
sublime state”, now we can also get into the origins of social conflict. Buddhism philosophy
of conflict origin is becomes of:
# Tanha – craving
# Mana – conceit
# ditthi – false view
# lobha – greed
# dosa – hatred
# moha – delusion
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Greed or desire is suffering. Suffering is Dukkha. Desire of any things can be different from
person to person, from group to group, from society to society, from ideology to ideology,
from nation to nation.
Yathapiruciranipubbham
Vannavantamagandhakam
Evamsubhasitavaca
Aphalohotiakubbalo9
Dhammapada(51)
Above mentioned Buddha teachings from Dhammapada clearly states about the
social, political or religious conflict resolution. According to Buddha’s teaching conflict
caused by desire, hatred and ignorance. Buddhist moral principle lies in the SuttaNipata.
As I am, so are they. As they are, so am I. Comparing others with oneself, one
should not harm or cause harm.10
- SuttaNipata, VS705
9
Dhammapada; 51
SuttaNipada; 705
10
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Buddhist view on every conflict resolution is to understand basic social structure of
mutual coexistence and follow Buddha’s teachings of peace and non violence.
Renunciation
Benevolence
Non violence
The Buddha says “dependence on others is suffering, independence is happiness.” 11
Dependent Origination and Social Conflict
Without one there cannot be many and without many it is not possible to refer to one.
Therefore, one and many arise dependently and such phenomena do not have sign of inherent
existence12”
-Nagarjuna13
11
Udana, P18
William. Mahayana Buddhism:The Doctoral Foundation. 1989.PP 55-76
13
Nagarjuna was the foremost Mahayana Buddhist Philosopher.
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10
Dependent Origination meaning emergence and existence of any happening depends
on others happening; cause and effect theory. On the theory of dependent origination is origin
of conflict also dependence on cause that creates effects.
Cause
Effect
Social Conflict
Poverty
Poverty
Unemployment
Unemployment
Fundamentalist
Maximum Desire
ideology
Undevelopment
Desire
Social Conflict
Cause
Effect
The focal point of social conflict is ignorance. According to dependent origination
theory is the main causes of social conflict is poverty, unemployment maximum desire, and
undevelopment. These effect once again become cause for the another phase of social
conflict. The resolving social conflict on the Buddha’s teaching is to abolishing ignorance
and knowing four noble truths, dependent originations and the Noble Eight fold path. As
mentioned in Theory of dependent Origination, every action has cause of that action and that
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gives result. In that context the main cause of social conflict, in a lower level, is poverty.
Poverty gives enormous problem for example unemployment, illiteracy, poor health. The
result of the social conflict is the same, which make platform for another conflict. This is a
continuos process.
Avoiding of all evils,
Cultivation of the wholesome,
Purification of one’s mind,
This is the teaching of the Buddha.
- DhammanadaD2:49
According to Buddha’s teaching conflict resolution is implies on Karma or action. In
a globalized world conflict resolution is wider and more difficult. As shows in above chart,
the chakra of social conflict is always in motion. For the modern conflict resolution, first we
have to fulfill and eliminated the causes that leads to social conflict. i.e.
Poverty
Illiteracy
Unemployment
If we able to eliminate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment than there will be minimum
social conflict. If financial inclusion education and employment in the society then society
will be developed and progressive.
Evolvement of Buddhism is historical based on the theory of Peace and non-violence that
gives solution to balance of power and social conflict resolution. Buddhist always active
towards resolving problems of the society. To eliminate human suffering is the prime goals of
Buddhist United Nation, the prime organization, plying active role in peace making and
peace keeping. United Nations Charter, Article No. 33 clearly states that conflict will be
resolved by, negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, by
the United Nation or its agencies. These are based on Buddha’s teachings. Seven methods of
individual and group conflict resolution are stated in the Sutra of the MajjhimaNikaya14. The
seven way of individual and group conflict resolution was given by the Buddha on the
incident happened after the death of Jaina Mahavira.
14
MajjhamaNikaya .243-251
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Conclusion
Buddha’s teaching is more relevance than any other approach towards conflict resolving.
Buddha’s teaching of Four Nobel Truth, problem of social conflict, causes of social conflict,
Problem
Social
conflict
Causes
Solution
Way to
solution
solution of Social Conflict and the way towards social conflict resolution can be achieved.
Solution of Social conflict is based on the “Theory of Dependent Origination.” The Chakra of
cause of social conflict and effect of Social conflict should be abolished. Social conflict can
be resolved on the following way.
First, this paper has examined the cause of social conflict. The social conflict cause due to
ignorance, of understanding self, social structure and social survival ethics.
Second, To resolved social conflict, first, to understand the Social Conflict “Cause and Effect
Theory” based on Buddha’s theory of Dependent Origination.
Third, cause of Social conflict is through right action (Karma) and abolishing ignorance is the
prime aim of Buddhist. Also developing interfaith dialogue is also very important.Buddha’
teaching gives great importance on self knowledge. Five precepts teach us about the good
conduct. It starts with self and moves towards further.
Buddhist approach towards conflict resolution is completely different from the theories of
modern society. Its first starts with “self” and extended to the society and to the World.
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Elimination of greed is most important and most practical approach to resolve social conflict.
Minimum desire will give maximum satisfaction which gives happiness; in the mean time it
will also give sustainability to sustainable development and to attained ultimate pinnacle of
freedom of humanity.
“conquer anger by love, conquer evil by good,
Conquer the stingy by giving, conquer the liar by truth”
Dhammapada ( Verse No. 223.190)
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References
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BhikkhuniSuvimalee, ed, Sri Lanka international Journal of Buddhist Studies, Vol. 2, Sri
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Dahrendorf. Ref, The Modern Social Conflict; The Politics of Liberty. Transaction
Publisher, USA 2012
Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press:
2000
Jabari. Discourses on violence: Conflict analysis reconsidered.
Reat. Noble Rose, Buddhism, A History; Jain Publication Company, California, USA. 1994,
Sharma. R.S. India’s Ancient Past; Oxford University Press 13th ed. 2013.
Singh, Arvind Kumar, Relevence of Buddhism in Attaining World Peace’ in Le Manh That
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Vietnam, Vietnam Buddhist University, 2008.
Thepsophon.Phra (PrayoonMererk), A Buddhist world view, fifth impression, Bangkok,
Mahachulalongkorn University Press, 2000
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William. Mahayana Buddhism:The Doctoral Foundation. 1989
www.oxforddictioneris.com/defination/english/conflict
www.un.org
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